Correction, above the fold.

When I sit in front a keyboard, all-alone, with nothing but my thoughts, I forget that, what I write has the ability to travel the globe. I figured my slice of the Internet was seldom clicked on, and I shouted to an audience of blank space. To me, a blog is judged by the number of comments made on each post. I have no way of knowing who actually reads my words unless someone leaves a comment. I do have a hit counter and occasionally I see where someone stumbled onto my site. It tells me the location, their browser, and how much time they spent on my blog. Usually the time spent is under 1 second, meaning they clicked, stayed for ½ second, and clicked away, which confirmed in my mind, that everybody writes blogs, but nobody reads them….until the other day.

When I came home a few days ago a comment was waiting for me in my email. The blog program I use gives me the option to moderate comments before they are published, or not publish them at all, it’s my choice. This is to stop profanity, or anonymous hit-and-runners who call you an idiot.(Which I’ll get to later)

After getting over the shock that someone actually left a comment on this drivel I hack out, (After all, I’m not a writer; I just play one on the Internet) I clicked on a message from James. This blog was called into question and rightly so.

I wrote a statement that was not a fact. I wrote, “The government never supported slavery.” Being that it was legal until the Sixteenth Amendment, of course they did. It was a bonehead statement, which didn’t belong in the point I was trying to make. In my opinion, the Declaration of Independence put us on a faster tract to end slavery than if we continued under British rule.

I know evil men did and do evil things. The spirit of the Declaration of Independence can get lost when actions contradict words. However, the words of the Constitution give us the right and protection to question this government and whatever action we deem unjust. Men aren’t perfect, but in my opinion, the Constitution is.

No law can take prejudice away, I’m sorry and I wish it wasn’t true. But if we’re persistent in judging people by the content of their character and not the color of their skin (religion, sex, or nationality) bigotry would only be left to those ignorant few.

Is this country perfect? No way, far from it. Attitudes and culture move slowly, I do feel that with each generation, we grow more accepting, enlightened, and understanding towards each other. And isn’t that what this great experiment of “America” is all about.

Again, thank you James for your comment.

Now for something fun.

I went on one of my rants about the environment a few posts ago. Apparently someone in the San Francisco area didn’t like it. Ah yeah, San Francisco.
But instead of being like James, and telling me where I was wrong, they left me this comment.

“You might be the dumbest person I've ever heard. Please, God, take away this person's keyboard and internet access.”

Of course they left it anonymously and I went ahead and published it anyway, because all speech is welcome here.

This is what gives the “Left” a bad name. It’s the hit and run guys who call names and want to take away my right to free speech while hiding behind anonymous.

We can have different opinions on the environment, politics, or anything else. Who’s to say I’m right? Get over it, it’s just my opinion. Old ladies who write online journals about their cats receive more hits than this blog, why do you care?

I’m sure some feel by me calling McCain, “Gramps” and Obama, “Scooter”, is name calling, which it is to some extent. But in political satire all is fair. Mr. Obama and Mr. McCain jumped into the ring knowing this and besides doesn’t “Gramps and Scooter” sound like a 70s sitcom?

In my book, being irreverent is part of the political process. If we can’t joke about our politicians or zing them with their own words, then what’s become of us?
We need to pick our battles wisely. James had a valid point and he told me I was an idiot without calling me an idiot, (well played.)

Anonymous, called me dumb and wanted God to take away my keyboard. If this is the last you hear from me, you’ll know God answered anonymous’ prayer.